Work to begin on first phase of Malpas transport scheme on 27 January

Work on the first phase of the Truro Town Deal funded scheme to improve safety and provide better facilities for walking and cycling along the river edge at Malpas is due to begin on Monday, 27 January.

In June 2021, Truro was awarded £23.6m of the government’s Town Deal funding. The Town Deal programme, developed in consultation with the local community, comprises seven projects that are designed to transform the city and local economy.

The scheme for Malpas Road is the first to be delivered as part of the Green Transport project. This aims to improve pedestrian and cycling provision within the city and increase connectivity by creating better and safer links with existing assets, such as Malpas and Boscawen Park and the national cycle network route. The project is being delivered by Cornwall Council in partnership with the Truro Town Deal Board.

Measures at Malpas include providing improved access to footpaths and new crossing points to connect people to the riverside, together with traffic calming features along Malpas Road.

Members of the public were invited to have their say on the proposals as part of a formal consultation held between 12 December 2024 and 10 January 2025. Feedback from this consultation is being used to shape the final designs.

The majority of those responding to the consultation were in support of the scheme provided access to all properties is maintained. The project team have confirmed that this will be the case. As a result, it has been agreed to implement the scheme as proposed.

The first phase of the Malpas scheme involves the creation of a landscaped green space area in place of the Pendeen Road roundabout, which will be transformed into a ‘T’ junction, together with new planting, paving, seating and footpath connectivity. Cormac will be carrying out preparatory work on site during the week of the 20th, with works on this phase due to formally begin on 27 January. The first phase is due to be completed by the end of March.

This will be followed by further phases to improve existing footway sections, install new crossing points, carry out minor junction improvements, and complete resurfacing works. The whole scheme is due to be completed by the end of 2025.

“We received positive engagement to the consultation and would like to thank everyone who took part” said project manager Paul Maycock. “We have listened carefully to all the comments and are using this feedback to develop the final designs.

“The first phase will be carried out as proposed during the consultation. The other sections along Malpas Road are still being reviewed and will follow on in April following the completion of the Green Space scheme”

The space constraints mean that some sections of the road will need to be closed at various times to enable the works to be carried out safely. The project team are very aware of the potential impact of this on local residents and businesses, emergency services, and to visitors, and will be working closely with all stakeholders to keep disruption to a minimum.

Works to create the proposed green space area at Pendeen Road junction will, where possible, be carried out during daytime hours using temporary traffic lights. However a small amount of night work will be required with details being communicated to affected residents directly.

Some road closures will be necessary in later phases to construct new crossing points and for kerbing & footway improvements in existing narrow sections of carriageway. The project team will maintain access through the works where this can be safely achieved. Advanced notice of road closures will be provided for residents and local users to enable forward planning of their journeys within these periods of work. Access for emergency services will always be ensured.

Alan Stanhope, Chair of Truro Town Deal Board, said “There was much feedback and interest in this scheme from residents and local businesses and I'd like to thank people for giving their time to offer views and comments. It is nice to see democracy working in practice and I believe these designs show listening and adaptability on the part of Council Highways team, whilst maintaining the ambitions of the scheme.

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for the economy, said: “Green ways to travel are essential for a thriving and sustainable Cornwall and thanks to this Town Deal investment in Truro, even more pedestrians and cyclists will be able to enjoy getting around city safely, for work or leisure.”

Information about the Truro Green Transport project is available on the Let’s Talk Cornwall site and the Truro Town Deal website.

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